ElBulli Auction at Sotheby's Brings in $1.8 Million

The official numbers from the first of two Sotheby's auctions to benefit the elBulliFoundation are in: a combination of wine and "lifestyle" lots brought in a total of US $1.8 million. Sotheby's high estimate for the auction was $1.2 million, so chef Ferran Adrià is probably pretty happy right now. Or, as he puts in the press release, "Today is the real beginning of the elBullifoundation!" Among the highest dollar lots were a wine lot of three bottles that sold for $72,244 and, as reported yesterday, a dinner with Adrià that went for just shy of $30,000. All that and more in the press release below; the second half of the auction takes place in New York City on April 26.

The elBullicellar Sold To Benefit The elBullifoundation Commands HK$14.1 Million / US$1.8 Million Surpassing The High Estimate (HK$9.2 Million / US$1.2 Million)
- 445 Wine Lots 100% Sold -
- Three Bottles of Romanée Conti 1990 Fetches HK$563,500 / US$72,244 -
- An Exclusive Dinner With Ferran Adrià For Four In Barcelona Sold For HK$220,500 / US$28,269 To An Online Bidder -
- Over 82% Of The Lots Sold Over High Estimates -

"Today is the real beginning of the elBullifoundation!"
- Ferran Adrià

Hong Kong, 3 April 2013 Today, Sotheby's much-anticipated sale of The elBullicellar Sold To Benefit The elBullifoundation achieved an impressive total of HK$14.1 million / US$1.8 million on the first day of the six-day Sotheby's Hong Kong Spring Sale 2013, surpassing the pre-sale high estimate of HK$9.2 million / US$1.2 million*. There was vibrant and jovial bidding from all over the world - in the room, on the telephone and via the internet – demonstrating the enthusiasm of collectors worldwide who expressed keen interest in acquiring a piece of history of elBulli - a legendary three-Michelin-star restaurant in Barcelona. All 445 wine lots were 100% sold, with one single lot of three bottles of Romanée Conti 1990 fetching an impressive total of HK$563,500 / US$72,244 (Est. HK$260,000 – 380,000 / US$32,500 – 47,500). The bidding for another highlight of the sale, an exclusive dinner with Ferran Adrià for four at Tickets Restaurant in Barcelona, started at HK$40,000 / US$5,000 and after nearly 20 vigorous bids from the floor, on the telephone and via the internet, was eventually sold for HK$220,500 / US$28,269 to an online bidder.

Proceeds from the sale will benefit the elBullifoundation - an experimental centre looking at the process of culinary innovation and creativity.

Commenting on the sale, Serena Sutcliffe, Master of Wine, Head of the International Wine Department at Sotheby's, said: "The elBullicellar sale has produced a tremendous result, due to both the exciting wine and lifestyle lots and the global fame of Ferran Adrià. It was stimulating to work with such professionals and we are delighted that the proceeds will go to the elBullifoundation."

The second part of the sale of The elBullicellar Sold To Benefit The elBullifoundation will be held on 26 April 2013 at Sotheby's New York.

Highlights Of The Sale

Top Three Wine Lots:
Lot 6015: Romanée Conti 1990 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (3 bottles) Sold for HK$563,500 / US$72,244
Est. HK$260,000 – 380,000 / US$32,500 – 47,500 (pictured right)
Lot 6018: Romanée Conti 2003 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (4 bottles) Sold for HK$539,000 / US$69,103
Est. HK$200,000 – 280,000 / US$25,000 – 35,000
Lot 6016: Romanée Conti 2000 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (3 bottles) Sold for HK$465,500 / US$59,679
Est. HK$120,000 – 180,000 / US$16,000 – 22,500

Highlights of elBulli Lifestyle Lots
Lot 6518: An Exclusive Dinner With Ferran Adrià For Four In Barcelona Sold For HK$220,500 / US$28,269
Opening bid: HK$40,000 / US$5,000
Lot 6474: elBulli Laguiole Knife Collection Sold for HK$60,000 / US$7,692 Opening bid: HK$8,000 / US$1,000
Lot 6446: Signed Ferran Adrià Chef Jacket Sold for HK$11,025 / US$1,413
Opening bid: HK$8,000 / US$1,000

· All elBulli Coverage on Eater [-E-]
· All Ferran Adria Coverage on Eater [-E-]